What is Liquid Glass?

Silicon based coatings or Liquid Glass as it is more conventionally known has been developed through extensive testing and research to offer one of the most advanced nano-coatings available today. Apart from a select group of professionals, very few people globally are even aware of this incredible “ultra thin layering” technology. Liquid Glass is most commonly found in natural resources such as; sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms (frustules). Silica is used primarily in the production of glass for windows, drinking glasses, beverage bottles, amongst many others. The majority of optical fibres for telecommunications are also made from silica and it is a also the primary raw material for many ceramics.

The experimental use of Liquid Glass, specifically nano-scale coatings began in the 1980′s. The development of commercial applications began in the early 2000s which is when advanced products and applications were born. It was discovered that Liquid Glass offers protection from oil, moisture, dirt, bacteria and gave the surface unequalled abrasion resistance. The flexible and breathable Liquid Glass coating is approximately 100 nanometres thick, which is 500 times thinner than a human hair, and as a result is completely invisible to the naked eye whilst offering extremely tangible benefits.

As the coating is based on pristine glass, it offers many characteristics which in effect provide huge benefits:1. There is an extremely low surface tension on areas coated with Liquid Glass.2. The technology creates a hydrophobic and simultaneously an oleophobic layer where water or any oil based substance is unable to penetrate and adhere to the protected surface. (hydrophobic + oleophobic = superphobic)3. The Liquid Glass layer is 200% flexible making it suitable for both hard and soft surfaces. Moreover, this flexibility ensures that the surface retains its original properties preventing any alteration to its look and feel.4.Liquid Glass Nanotech layers are acid and alkaline resistant.5.Liquid Glass Nanotech layers can withstand extreme temperature changes. Standard coatings can operate efficiently between -30ºC up to 300ºC. Specialist advanced coatings offer even greater temperature tolerance ranging from -90ºC up to 700ºC

When applied it is imperative that the polymerisation process takes place allowing for the ultra thin layer of Liquid Glass to set correctly on the surface. What is amazing is that there are no glues or resins within the matrix of the structure of the coating. The Liquid Glass layer adheres to a surface through the Van Der Waals effect. This means that quantum forces draw the molecules to the substrate layer it is coating.

As a result any surface that is coated with Liquid Glass Protection becomes easy to clean and gives antimicrobial protection (Winner of the NHS Smart Solutions Award). Once coated, surfaces like; screens, cases on your mobile devices, windows, glasses, car windscreens and other hard and soft surfaces, become stain resistant and can be easily cleaned with water and without the need of harsh cleaning chemicals.

To learn more about how Liquid Glass is being used across different industries visit our Commercial Solutions section.